SC seeks explanation from states on police lathicharge on Punjab woman, Bihar teachers

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has taken suo moto cognizance of police lathicharge on a woman in Tarn Taran and contractual teachers in Bihar. The court has sought explanation by Monday from both the states on the conduct of the police and has directed the Attorney General to assist the matter.

This comes days after a woman was beaten up by the police in Tarn Taran in full public view after she complained of sexual harassment. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday ordered a magisterial probe into the incident after nationwide outrage.

The woman who was beaten up demanded that strict action be taken against the policemen. "I appeal to the government to investigate the matter. Where are our politicians when we need them? They come to us only when they need votes," she said.

The police beat up the young woman and her father after she went to them with a complaint of sexual harassment. A video showed the woman being manhandled by two policemen. The woman alleged she was sexually harassed by truck drivers. When her family confronted them, policemen nearby allegedly took the side of the truckers.

In another incident of police lathicharge in Bihar, a group of protesting contract teachers was beaten up on Tuesday. The teachers had been protesting peacefully when suddenly the police started raining blows on them.

The protesting teachers had been demanding that their jobs be made permanent. They have also been demanding parity of pay with regular teachers.

The video footage of the protests showed the policemen entering the tents of the protesters and not sparing anyone sitting there, including women. The lathicharge took place outside the Bihar Assembly.